When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 59
Chapter 59
"You're going to sell all of this?"
"Yes."
"B-but—"
The merchant head's eyes wavered unsteadily.
"These are gifts from the Young Lord. If you sell them—"
Sehwa replied with a troubled voice.
"Do you think I'm happy about converting the Young Lord's gifts into money? I have no choice but to do this, so please understand."
"No choice?"
"Didn't I tell you earlier about what happened during my exuviation?"
"Yes, you did."
"I mentioned that someone happened to pass by and helped me during my exuviation."
"Yes."
"That person was the Baek Clan Head."
"...What?"
"What did you just say... The Baek Clan Head, you mean Divine Beast Baek Giha?"
"Yes."
"Oh my!"
"Good heavens!"
"How could such a thing happen!"
"He was on his way here for an important meeting with the Mystic Ruler."
"My word. How could such a coincidence exist?"
"He truly is remarkable. Even after ten years of fierce conflict, he still helped with your exuviation."
"So I ask you this. The Young Lord sent these gifts for my benefactor, how could I keep them? They should all be given as gifts to the Baek Clan Head."
Sehwa nodded in agreement to their exclamations.
"But won't he have to return after the meeting with the Mystic Ruler is over? How could such an important person carry all these things alone? That's why I want to convert them into something easier to transport."
It was a reasonable argument.
The merchant head's expression relaxed as he nodded.
"I understand. I'll take all of this and convert it into money by tomorrow."
"Speaking of which, would it be possible to obtain some spirit stones?"
"What?! E-spirit stones cannot be handled without Mystic Ruler's permission."
"That's only within the clan. The Baek Clan Head will soon return to his clan, so what's the problem?"
"..."
"Even if we give him money, how could he carry such a large amount? That's why I thought of spirit stones as something light he could easily carry."
"But..."
"You do business not just within our clan but throughout the entire Mystic Realm. It wouldn't hurt to be in the good graces of the leader of the Six Clans Alliance."
Seeing the merchant head falling silent, Sehwa pressed once more.
"So bring some spirit stones. We have our clan's dignity to consider. Shouldn't we give a gift that will satisfy the Baek Clan Head? I'll make sure to mention you to him when I present them."
"Ah, I understand. Actually, I do have a few spirit stones. I can bring them right away, so let's do this today instead."
"Good."
"But please keep it absolutely secret that I provided the spirit stones."
"That goes without saying."
Sehwa nodded with satisfaction, her eyes gleaming at the merchant head's response.
Thus, before late night fell, four shiny spirit stones shaped like small round pebbles were placed before Sehwa. They were spirit stones containing the spiritual power of the river.
How cute they looked, all gathered together in their small, round forms.
After carefully placing them in a fragrance pouch and attaching it to her waist, Sehwa looked around the busy room.
The sisters were already busy enough with preparations for the banquet in two days, but now they seemed preoccupied with packing for the journey to the Baek clan as well.
Even though she had told them that the Mystic Ruler would change his mind, they insisted on preparing at least the essentials in case they needed to leave urgently.
"Youngchae, where is my geomungo?"
"The geomungo? It's in the storehouse. Should I bring it?"
"Yes. Pack it with the luggage."
Nodding, it wasn't long before the chest containing the geomungo was brought in.
Though it had been seventeen years since she last saw this geomungo, as if proving that only she had traveled back in time, it was well-maintained as though it had been taken out just days ago.
'I wonder if it will still work after not being played for so long?'
Placing her slender white fingers on the strings, she began with the simplest song she remembered.
The first few attempts were so messy that the three busy sisters turned around in confusion, but soon enough the memories came back.
Of course, it wasn't as beautiful as when she used to play before.
'Still, perhaps this level would be acceptable to play for him.'
Though she wanted to show only her best side, she felt he wouldn't laugh even if it was terrible.
As the night deepened, Sehwa left the room carrying the fragrance pouch and the chest containing the geomungo.
She took careful steps to avoid waking the three sisters who had been busy all day.
As soon as she was a bit far from the room, her previously cautious steps quickened.
Just like that time, she moved forward without hesitation, passing the garden trees.
Soon, the large lotus pond and pavilion came into view. A faint mist covered the path to the pavilion.
Carefully walking to sit inside the pavilion, Sehwa spent some time in tension.
Clearly waiting for someone who would appear suddenly.
But no matter how long she waited, everything remained quiet.
Even softly calling out "Baek Giha" yielded no response.
The only sounds were the low whisper of wind and the chirping of insects.
'How silly of me. Without even making any promises, I assumed he would naturally come chasing after me again.'
Only then did she feel embarrassed about her groundless confidence that he would come to see her late at night.
'I was going to play for him today.'
Though slightly disappointing, this wasn't the only night.
Taking the geomungo out of its box, Sehwa plucked the well-tuned strings once more. Unlike her earlier fumbling, this time the first note flowed softly.
The hazy moonlight, dimmed by fog, enveloped Sehwa's entire body.
In that state, her long fingers carefully moved across the nine strings.
Ding-. Ding-.
At first, her fingers moved wherever they wanted, but soon she remembered the pieces she had practiced for so long.
'That's right. I used to love playing like this.'
That was before the war broke out.
When she would finish playing the day's learned piece in front of her parents and brothers, they would applaud and cheer as though they had heard the world's finest performance.
Those memories, now grown faint, drifted away with the sound of the geomungo.
The sorrowful sound matched well with the misty garden scenery.
It was a peaceful scene she had never thought she would see again.
As her emotions stirred, the geomungo's sound grew deeper.
The strings trembled, alternating between high and low notes.
Every time the wind blew, the thick fragrance of lotus flowers filled the pavilion.
At some point, a small flower petal flew past her eyes.
When she instinctively turned her head to follow the direction of the flying petal—
"...!"
Her eyes met with Baek Giha's, who was leaning against the pavilion's pillar, watching her.
The geomungo's sound stopped.
While Baek Giha's deep black eyes intently gazed at her, she couldn't move, as if captivated by his gaze.
Finally, he detached himself from the pillar and took a step closer.
As if breaking free from a hypnotic spell, she suddenly felt shy and lowered her gaze in surprise.
'What's this? If you were here, you should have said something.'
Still, she had played the geomungo as he wanted, so he should say something, but he remained silent.
Even after coming right up to her, it was the same.
Without the slightest hesitation, Baek Giha went behind her and embraced her.
No, she thought he was going to embrace her.
But his hands reached for the geomungo in front of her.
Ding-.
His large hands, contrasting with her slender ones, moved across the strings with slightly more force than she had used.
The strings that had been plaintive under her fingertips now poured out slightly stronger and firmer notes.
Trapped within his broad chest, she quietly watched his large hands moving across the geomungo.
His fingertips bore the marks of scars and calluses from holding a bow for so long.
As if proving he was a general who had traversed battlefields for many years, his music seemed to overflow with dignity and authority rather than elegance.
His chest against her back was warm.
She thought his breathing seemed a bit rapid, but when she became aware, she realized hers was no different.
Though she had vowed not to look back until she saved her family, her heart kept growing greedy.
She should turn away.
She would turn away.
But when his warm arms embraced her, she just wanted to hug him back.
Perhaps it was because she had been too lonely during those twelve years at the Baek clan and five years in the underground prison.
She desperately tried to convince herself of this.
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